It’s back! The BC-wide Hands-on Cook-off contest launches today to celebrate the importance of cooking and eating together. Each year, the challenge encourages kids, teens and adults from across the province to get into the kitchen and film a 3-minute cooking video for the chance to win cash prizes!

Over the past nine years, the Hands-on Cook-off contest has inspired thousands of people to enjoy the many benefits brought through cooking and eating together - including better grades in school, better physical and mental health, and better overall social adaptability.

This year, we invite you to share your recipe with us and show us why it’s truly better to cook together! Whether it’s a delicious pasta, a simple sandwich, a quick salad, a decadent dessert, your family’s traditional recipe, or your personal favourite dish - we want to see what you’re cooking and eating together in your homes!

Every year, the Hands-on Cook-off contest enjoys the support of local schools, families, community organizations, dietitians, nutritionists, chefs, media personalities and media outlets across BC.

The group of talented judges reviewing this year’s video submissions includes:

• Ceri Marsh, co-creator of Sweet Potato Chronicles and co-author of two best-selling cookbooks

• Paul Natrall, owner and operator of Vancouver’s 1st Indigenous Food truck - Mr. Bannock.

• Robin Kort - Chef/Sommelier/Forager and owner of Swallow Tail Canada

• Michele Phillips - Blogger and content creator at What Dreams May Become  

• And our very own, Joel Barohn - Registered Dietitian, Chef and Nutrition Educator at the BC Dairy Association.

Here’s how to enter!

From today until noon of May 16th, any BC resident can enter the Hands-on Cook-off Contest. Videos must include two or more people preparing a recipe together… and of course having fun! Videos must be no longer than three minutes in length and can be entered online. There are two categories: Multigenerational and Youth.

Learn more about the contest including judging criteria and rules here.

Enter the Hands-on Cook-off: http://bettertogetherbc.ca/contest

Prizes: Several cash prizes of $1000 and $500 will be awarded in different categories to individuals and schools. Full prizing details can be found here: http://bettertogetherbc.ca/contest/page/prizes-awards1

ALSO: We’re excited to announce that we’ve added in a new Random Draw Prize this year!

Participants who alongside their video submission also submit their Contest recipe with a photo to the Submit a Recipe section of Better Together will be entered in a random draw for a chance to win $500 cash!

Share the news on social!

Want to help spread the news about the contest? Follow us on our social accounts below (and don’t forget to tag us in your posts!):

Instagram: @bettertogetherbc

Facebook:  /bettertogetherbc

Pinterest: bbettertogether

Twitter: @bettertogether

#handsoncookoff

Need inspiration for your entry? Check out past video entries here. Good luck to all the participants - and happy cooking!